Burnham urges Rural Affairs Minister to stand up for Welsh farmers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Oct 2008

A week after Welsh Liberal Democrat MPs in Westminster urged the UK government not to implement EU proposals to introduce electronic identification of sheep (EID) in the UK, Eleanor Burnham, North Wales Assembly Member, will tomorrow push for the Rural Affairs Minister to add her voice to protect Welsh farmers from this costly and unnecessary scheme.

During a debate secured by Welsh Lib Dem Mark Williams MP last Wednesday, DEFRA Farming Minister, Jane Kennedy MP, conceded that the government would not implement this EU decision if they had a choice.

Plans to introduce the electronic identification of sheep, yielding minimal benefits, would cost Welsh farmers thousands of pounds and hours of extra work.

Eleanor Burnham, North Wales Assembly Member, said:

"Welsh hill farmers are facing a tough time at the moment and the implementation of electronic identification of sheep in Wales would put extra financial burden on already struggling farmers.

"Farmers will be forced to fork out for this new tagging system which would take up valuable time and money. I speak with many farmers in North Wales and they see little benefit of this new tagging system.

"The trial stages of this new scheme uncovered many problems that could be exacerbated by its full introduction across the country. Problems with the electronic readers in markets and abattoirs and difficulties with the equipment in wet and cold conditions are but few of the problems experienced in the trial stages.

"The technology doesn't lend itself to the realities of hill farming and many farmers will have to have IT training to use this equipment.

"I want the Rural Affairs minister to make sure Welsh farmers' voices are heard. The scheme should be made voluntary in the UK to ease the burden on Welsh hill farmers in these difficult economic times."

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